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Faculty of Mathematics

 

Career

  • 2025- to date: Research Professor, DAMTP, University of Cambridge
  • 2024- to date: Honorary Professor, University of Leicester
  • 2012-2025:  Senior Research Associate, DAMTP, University of Cambridge
  • 2008-2012: STFC Advanced Fellow, DAMTP, University of Cambridge
  • 2007-2008: PPARC/STFC  Advanced Fellow, MSSL, University College London
  • 2004-2007: Research Fellow, MSSL, University College London
  • 2002-2004:  Research Associate, DAMTP, University of Cambridge
  • 2001:  Research Associate,  University of Florence, Italy
  • 1999-2001:  Research Associate, DAMTP, University of Cambridge

Research

I am a member of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics  Atomic Astrophysics research group. My current research interests are on energy transfer processes in the solar corona.

Atomic physics calculations and plasma diagnostic techniques applied to XUV spectroscopic observations allow the measurements of plasma parameters such as electron density, temperature, chemical abundances. In conjunction with modeling, they can help us in understanding how magnetic energy is transferred into heat in all varieties of solar coronal features, from active region loops to solar flares.

I have also been working on measuring the solar EUV irradiance and its variations during the last solar cycle, and how these variations can be modeled and models applied to other stars.

I contributed to atomic data calculations (within the UK APAP network), to line identifications and benchmarking atomic data against laboratory and astrophysical spectra, to atomic data distribution via the CHIANTI atomic database and VAMDC.

I have been PI of STFC grants for a while. 

I am the PI for Cambridge of the STFC large award "The Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite" (SAMS),  aiming to model stellar chromospheres, see  https://sams-project-uk.github.io/about/

 

 

Publications

Hinode observations and 3D magnetic structure of an X-ray bright point
CE Alexander, G Del Zanna, RC Maclean
– Astronomy & Astrophysics
(2011)
526,
A134
A single picture for solar coronal outflows and radio noise storms
G Del Zanna, G Aulanier, K-L Klein, T Török
– Astronomy and Astrophysics
(2011)
526,
A137
The first measurement of the adiabatic index in the solar corona using time-dependent spectroscopy of hinode/EIS observations
T Van Doorsselaere, N Wardle, G Del Zanna, K Jansari, E Verwichte, VM Nakariakov
– The Astrophysical Journal
(2011)
727,
l32
Solar plasma spectroscopy: Achievements and future challenges
G Del Zanna, D Tripathi, P Young
– Astronomy and Geophysics
(2011)
52,
2.17
The 22 May 2007 B-class flare: New insights from Hinode observations
G Del Zanna, U Mitra-Kraev, SJ Bradshaw, HE Mason, A Asai
– Astronomy & Astrophysics
(2010)
526,
A1
Hinode extreme-ultraviolet imaging spectrometer observations of a limb active region
B O’Dwyer, G Del Zanna, HE Mason, AC Sterling, D Tripathi, PR Young
– Astronomy & Astrophysics
(2010)
525,
A137
Science Objectives for an X-Ray Microcalorimeter Observing the Sun
JM Laming, J Adams, D Alexander, M Aschwanden, C Bailey, S Bandler, J Bookbinder, S Bradshaw, N Brickhouse, J Chervenak, S Christe, J Cirtain, S Cranmer, S Deiker, E DeLuca, GD Zanna, B Dennis, G Doschek, M Eckart, A Fludra, F Finkbeiner, P Grigis, R Harrison, L Ji, C Kankelborg et al.
(2010)
SDO/AIA response to coronal hole, quiet Sun, active region, and flare plasma
B O'Dwyer, G Del Zanna, HE Mason, MA Weber, D Tripathi
– Astronomy and Astrophysics
(2010)
521,
A21
R-MATRIX ELECTRON-IMPACT EXCITATION OF Fe13+ AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE SOFT X-RAY AND EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPY OF CORONA-LIKE PLASMAS
GY Liang, NR Badnell, JRC López-Urrutia, TM Baumann, G Del Zanna, PJ Storey, H Tawara, J Ullrich
– The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
(2010)
190,
322
The EUV spectrum of the Sun: Long-term variations in the SOHO CDS NIS spectral responsivities
G Del Zanna, V Andretta, PC Chamberlin, TN Woods, WT Thompson
– Astronomy and Astrophysics
(2010)
518,
A49
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Research Groups

Astrophysics
Atomic Astrophysics

Room

F1.05

Telephone

01223 337916